Apartment hunt

So after two months of searching and many sympathies shared to us by Israelis also frustrated by the apartment hunting process, we are glad to announce that we have signed a lease on a new apartment. It's a reasonably priced three bedroom, two bath recently constructed apartment. The two greatest things about this apartment are: 1) we get to stay in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood which we love and Jana and Atom are considered "locals" by the community and especially by the retail shops. 2) the rent is almost 20% lower than what we are currently paying and almost half the price of what the landlord has our current apartment listed for (more on that in a bit).

 In this apartment hunting process, we learned a few things about the Tel Aviv housing market:

1. Overall rent prices are disproportionately high compared to the average salary of Israelis. The recent tent protests which originated as a protest on the high price of rent are indeed valid, especially given the skyrocketing rates seen the past few years. 
2. Many landlords' expectations and resulting asking price are completely unrealistic. We saw apartments that were shit-holes with high asking prices, and we saw nice renovated apartments with exorbitant asking prices. Most of those remain on the market even after many months of vacancy. I mean why would someone rent these places when there are also reasonably priced places on the market like the one we found? 
3. As much as we tried not to use a real estate agent to avoid the 1 month fee, it was almost impossible for the apartments in our neighborhood. Even when we were able to contact the landlord directly, they directed us back to their real estate agent. Why do I have to pay a finder's fee when I did all the work?
4. Google translate and google chrome's automatic translation function are awesome. 
5. I hate my current landlord and am so glad we are moving out. 

One last parting shot at my current landlord: how can you ask for 16000 nis ($4300) a month when there is mold growing all under the floor and the moisture continues to cause the dry wall to bubble and crack?

The 443

A few weeks back, I decided to get a early start home after a busy day at work.  I got on the highway and took my normal route from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv.  Oh what a bad decision.  Two minutes into the drive home, I ran into a traffic jam, a traffic jam that lasted 3 hours long.

Rather than take the more popular Highway 1 route between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I take The 443.  The 443 is generally 15-30 minutes faster than Route 1, and when there is traffic on Route 1, which there generally is, the time savings can stretch into hours.  The main caveat though is the fact that the 443 cuts straight through the West Bank into occupied territory. 

The route itself is beautiful.  Palestinian villages, perched on hilltops, line the scenery with their minarets quite prominent.  Near the roadside though, the scenery is not so nice.  As this is a route used by Palestinians and Israelis, it is "secured."  Between the road and villages in the distance is a mix of high walls and barb wire fences.  And at the start and end of the route are military checkpoints.  And it was at this military checkpoint which is right after the junction to Ramallah in which I was stuck in the 3 hour traffic jam. 

Below are some photos of The 443 that I took "while driving."


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Military checkpoint entrance

IDF soldiers man the checkpoints w/ M16s prominantly displayed

Hard to see but a Palestinian village off in the distance.

Ramallah junction

Public Radio International Debut

Hey everyone, Scott made Public Radio International!  We are so excited and proud of him! Here is a little excerpt to get you started.   

"...There is an old joke here in Israel, when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land, he took a wrong turn.  Instead of ending up in  oil rich Saudi Arabia,  he ended up in the land of milk and honey, but no oil.  These days, there’s a new twist to the story…"  ~Daniel Estrin

Scott:  "Maybe he didn’t turn the wrong way, its just that he needed a little bit of time."  

Next up, Jean-Patrick Grumberg.   

Check out the URL and click on Play Audio to hear his interview. You will also see a slide show of Scott and other colleagues at the drill site located towards the bottom of the page.  

Audio File:  
http://media.blubrry.com/world/p/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/media.theworld.org/audio/092620116.mp3

Article:
http://www.theworld.org/2011/09/slideshow-israels-oil-dreams-kick-off-environmental-battle/

Beach day with Sophie and Makai

I just discovered this unpublished post written 2 months ago.   

Sometime in July, the day Aulii, Tom, and Isla went to Jerusalem I had the opportunity to stay in air conditioning, hang out at the beach, eat pizza, all while watching Sophie and Makai. I am proud to say not one tantrum was thrown by the two kids!  A tiny bit of whining by Big Mak but that's expected when he tries to communicate.

The morning started off like every morning. Makai and Sophie watched "George" and " Max", Sophie danced and sang "I do not like green eggs and ham" while Makai tries to copy her.  By 915 we were out the door and heading to the beach!

Makai, cover my feet in sand like this...

Ok, i guess i will do it.

Makai wanting to walk home.

After beach drink.  Ice cold apple juice.